“Don’t you know that your worth is beyond compare, Penny? I trust and love you with everything that I am,” he said.
She didn’t know how she’d come to deserve such a husband. But he was hers. All hers.
“I love you so much, Marcus.” Her eyes welled, her balance wavering.
He swept her up into his arms. Kissed her tenderly. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Several days later, on Christmas Day, the Blackwoods’ drawing room was the site of cozy pandemonium. Against Marcus’ wishes—he’d been adamant that Penny should stay in bed and rest after her ordeal—Penny had arranged a little party. She’d wanted to celebrate the holiday with their closest friends and family.
Now she was sitting with Emma and Thea at a window seat, watching as plump snowflakes drifted lazily outside. Inside, the fire leapt merrily, conversation and children’s laughter flowing through the halls, the scent of gingerbread and spiced Yuletide posset warming the air.
“Thank goodness you’ve recovered,” Thea said.
“I feel absolutely fine.” Penny gave a wry smile. “In fact, I slept like a babe the day after the Ashleys’ ball, and now I’m more rested than I’ve been in ages.”
“I cannot believe the sheer maliciousness of Cora Ashley.” Emma’s chestnut curls bobbed as she shook her head. “Imagine hatching such a devious plot.”
“At least her punishment fits the crime,” Thea said philosophically.
The day after the party, an incensed Marcus had gone to speak with Lord Ashley. He’d informed the earl of his countess’ transgressions, and, according to Marcus’ report, Ashley’s reaction had been neither shocked nor even particularly caring.
I’ll take care of it, the earl had said in a bored voice.
Three days after that, Cora Ashley had been shipped off to a distant property in Ireland. According to theon dit, there was no return date. Privately, Marcus told Penny that he thought it was good riddance, and Cora deserved her banishment.
Penny, for her part, wasn’t quite as magnanimous as Marcus. The bloody wench had drugged her, set her up, andtried to steal her husband: to her mind, that merited a fair bit more than some jaunt in the Irish countryside. Which was why she’d had a little gift planted in the lady’s carriage. Just a dozen or so of Cora’s favorite eight-legged friends to keep her company on the road.
Feeling generous, however, Penny hadn’t included any poisonous varieties.
See? She had turned over a new leaf.
“I’m just thankful that no scandal has resulted from all of this,” she said. “I shudder to think what might have happened if anyone else had come upon that dreadful scene.”
Even though she had the precious gift of Marcus’ trust, the last thing she wanted was to drag the Blackwood name through the mud. Especially since she and her mama-in-law were on peculiarly good terms these days. Upon arrival today, the old dragon had inspected her up and down and then patted her on the cheek, saying gruffly, “Always knew you were a hardy bloom, my dear. Just like me. Now fetch me some of that Yuletide posset—and mind you don’t skimp on the Madeira.”
“As for the lack of scandal, you might have Violet to thank,” Emma muttered.
“Violet?” Penny said in surprise. “What does she have to do with this?”
Emma and Thea exchanged glances.
“I must have your most solemn promise that you won’t tell anyone else—except your husband, of course,” Emma said.
Growing more intrigued by the moment, Penny nodded.
Thea leaned forward, her voice hushed. “You do know what happened to Viscount Carlisle at the Ashleys’ Ball?”
She did. The wholetondid.
Somehow, the proud and dignified Scotsman had managed to land on his arse…inthe champagne fountain. How the mighty had fallen.
“I heard he created quite a splash.” Penny couldn’t help herself.
Emma gave her a wry look. “You and every tattle rag in London have used that line. At any rate, his mishap proved advantageous in one respect: it drew the attention away from Cora Ashley’s machinations upstairs. Everyone was focused on Carlisle’s accident and took no notice of your departure.”
“The only problem is,” Thea said in a whisper, “we don’t think it was an accident.”
